Information processing system, information processing method, computer-readable non-transitory storage medium having stored therein information processing program, and information processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A first lottery section performs a first lottery for specifying at least one presentation element among a plurality of presentation elements respectively associated with a plurality of content groups. A presentation section presents the presentation element specified by the first lottery, to a user. A second lottery section performs, in accordance with a user&#39;s instruction, a second lottery for specifying at least one content from the content group associated with the presentation element presented by the presentation section. A providing section provides the content drawn by the second lottery, to the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-074805, filed onApr. 9, 2018, is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The exemplary embodiments relate to an information process for givingcontent used in a predetermined application, to a user by lottery.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Conventionally, there is known a system that provides a lottery game forlottery target content by spending virtual currency or the like that auser has.

In the lottery in the system as described above, the lottery targetcontent is merely determined by an administrator. That is, how todetermine the lottery target content is up to only the administrator'ssetting. In this regard, there is a room for improving amusement oflottery in terms of the way of determining the lottery target content asdescribed above.

Therefore, an object of the exemplary embodiments is to provide aninformation processing system, an information processing method, acomputer-readable non-transitory storage medium having stored thereininformation processing program, and an information processing apparatusthat enable further improvement in amusement of lottery.

Configuration examples for achieving the above object will be shownbelow.

One configuration example is an information processing system includingat least one computer, the at least one computer executing: performing afirst lottery for specifying at least one presentation element among aplurality of presentation elements respectively associated with aplurality of content groups; presenting the presentation elementspecified by the first lottery; performing, in accordance with a user'sinstruction, a second lottery for specifying at least one content fromthe content group associated with the presented presentation element;and providing the content specified by the second lottery, to the user.

According to the above configuration example, regarding the presentationelements each associated with a plurality of contents, whichpresentation element is to be presented is further determined bylottery. Thus, it is possible to improve amusement in providing contentto the user by lottery.

In another configuration example, the first lottery may be automaticallyat a predetermined timing.

According to the above configuration example, a lottery for thepresentation elements can be automatically performed at a predeterminedtiming. Therefore, even if the presented element determined by onelottery is not an element that the user desires, an occasion of alottery for the presentation elements can be given to the user again.Thus, amusement of lottery can be improved.

In another configuration example, even if the user's instruction is notperformed after the first lottery has been performed at a last time, thefirst lottery may be performed when the predetermined timing comes.

According to the above configuration example, the first lottery can beexecuted irrespective of whether or not the second lottery has beenperformed on the basis of a user's instruction. Therefore, even if thepresentation element presented as a result of the first lottery is notan element that the user desires, the user can obtain an occasion of thefirst lottery again by waiting for a predetermined timing. Thus,amusement of lottery can be improved.

In another configuration example, the first lottery may be performedevery time the predetermined timing comes.

According to the above configuration example, the first lottery can berepeatedly executed, whereby the presentation elements can be exchangedat regular intervals. Thus, it is possible to provide the user with amotivation for activating a predetermined application. For example, thepresentation elements can be changed on a daily basis. In such a case,the user can be provided with amusement of what lottery target will bepresented. Thus, it is possible to provide the user with a motivationfor activating a predetermined application.

In another configuration example, the second lottery may be performedwhen first virtual currency associated with the user is spent inaccordance with a user's instruction.

According to the above configuration example, for example, the user canperform the second lottery based on the presentation element, usingin-game currency. Thus, it is possible to provide a motivation foraccumulating the first virtual currency in the game.

In another configuration example, the presentation element specified bythe first lottery may be presented to the user irrespective of whetheror not the first virtual currency is spent.

According to the above configuration example, regarding the presentationelement specified by the first lottery, it becomes possible to exchangethe presentation element irrespective of whether or not the virtualcurrency is spent. Thus, amusement in providing content to the user bylottery can be improved.

In another configuration example, a first presentation element specifiedby the first lottery, and a second presentation element which is set inadvance irrespective of the first lottery, are presented to the user.When the first virtual currency is spent in accordance with a user'sinstruction, the second lottery for specifying at least one content fromthe content group associated with the first presentation element may beperformed, and when a second virtual currency different from the firstvirtual currency is spent, the second lottery for specifying at leastone content from the content group associated with the secondpresentation element may be performed.

According to the above configuration example, the user is allowed toperform a lottery based on a content group associated with the secondpresentation element by using the second virtual currency. Therefore,while the user enjoys a lottery for the presentation elements, even ifthe presentation element that the user desires has not been drawn by alottery, the user is allowed to perform a lottery for a content groupassociated with the presentation element that the user desires, by usingthe second virtual currency. Thus, it is possible to realize suchlottery that satisfies the user's desire while keeping amusement oflottery.

In another configuration example, the at least one computer may furtherexecute providing a reward to the user when the second lottery isperformed.

According to the above configuration example, it is possible to providea predetermined reward to the user when using the second virtualcurrency. Thus, a motivation for using the second virtual currency canbe provided. For example, it is also possible that a predeterminednumber of points are given, and if the number of points reaches apredetermined value or higher, the user is allowed to designate apresentation element or the like that the user desires, and is providedwith the same. Thus, a motivation for using the second virtual currencycan be provided.

In another configuration example, the at least one computer may furtherexecute providing the first virtual currency to the user in exchange forthe content.

According to the above configuration example, the user can perform againthe second lottery for specifying at least one content from the contentgroup associated with the first presentation element, by using the firstvirtual currency provided in exchange for the acquired content, wherebyamusement of lottery can be improved. For example, even if the user hasfailed to acquire the content that the user desires as a result of alottery, the user can acquire the first virtual currency by selling thecontent acquired by the lottery. Thus, the way of providing a lotteryoccasion to the user can be diversified. In addition, for example, inthe game, if ease of acquisition of the first virtual currency is set tobe higher than ease of acquisition of the second virtual currency (thefirst virtual currency is set to be more easily acquired), user'sinterest in lottery for the first presentation element can be enhanced.

In another configuration example, the presentation element specified bythe first lottery may be presented to the user irrespective of whetheror not the first virtual currency or the second virtual currency isspent.

According to the above configuration example, regarding the presentationelement specified by the first lottery, it becomes possible to exchangethe presentation element irrespective of whether or not the virtualcurrency is spent. Thus, amusement in providing content to the user bylottery can be improved.

In another configuration example, as the first lottery, a lottery forspecifying at least one presentation element from a plurality of thesecond presentation elements may be performed.

According to the above configuration example, as the first presentationelement, the one that is drawn by lottery from the second presentationelements can be used. Therefore, while the user enjoys a lottery for thefirst presentation elements for which the first virtual currency can beused, even if the first presentation element that the user desires isnot drawn by a lottery, the user is allowed to directly perform alottery based on the second presentation element by using the secondvirtual currency. Thus, while amusement of lottery is kept, occasions toacquire content that the user desires can be increased, and as a result,it is possible to shorten a time required for acquiring the content.

In another configuration example, the first presentation elementspecified by the first lottery may be displayed in a first display area,and the second presentation element may be displayed in a second displayarea different from the first display area.

According to the above configuration example, it is possible to present,to the user, the presentation element for which the first virtualcurrency is used, and the presentation element for which the secondvirtual currency can be used, in an easily understandable manner.

In another configuration example, the at least one computer may furtherexecute, if the second lottery has been performed a predetermined numberof times, restricting processing of the second lottery or processing ofthe providing until the predetermined timing.

According to the above configuration example, when the predeterminedtiming has come, the second lottery is enabled to be performed.Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with a motivation foractivating a predetermined application after the predetermined timing.For example, property such as “out-of-stock” or “sold-out” can be setfor the presentation elements. Thus, for example, the user can beinterested in what presentation element will “arrive in a shop” nexttime, whereby a motivation for continuing to play the game or the likecan be provided.

In another configuration example, if the second lottery has beenperformed with respect to a predetermined presentation element among thepresentation elements a predetermined number of times, processing of thesecond lottery or processing of the providing with respect to thepredetermined presentation element may be restricted until thepredetermined timing.

According to the above configuration example, for example, if the secondlottery for a presentation element specified by the first lottery hasbeen performed a predetermined number of times, use of the presentationelement can be prohibited until a predetermined timing. Thus, it ispossible to provide the user with a motivation for activating apredetermined application after the predetermined timing.

In another configuration example, the at least one computer may furtherexecute restricting processing of the second lottery or processing ofthe providing until the predetermined timing, if the second lottery forspecifying at least one content from the content group associated withthe first presentation element has been performed a predetermined numberof times.

According to the above configuration example, it is possible to set norestriction on the number of times of the second lottery for the secondpresentation element while setting restriction on the number of times ofthe second lottery for the first presentation element. Thus, amusementof lottery can be improved.

In another configuration example, the first lottery may be performed forspecifying at least one presentation element among the plurality ofpresentation elements for which the respective associated content groupsare at least partially different from each other.

According to the above configuration example, lottery targets associatedwith each presentation element are at least partially different amongthe presentation elements. Thus, amusement of lottery can be improved.

In another configuration example, the at least one computer may furtherexecuting storing information about a plurality of users in a storageportion in such a manner as to allow the information to be identified ona user-by-user basis. Processing of the first lottery, the presenting,the second lottery, and the providing may be executed on a user-by-userbasis.

According to the above configuration example, the first lottery isperformed on a user-by-user basis, whereby the presentation element tobe presented to each user can be made different among the users. Thus,amusement of lottery can be improved.

In another configuration example, an object associated with thepresentation element specified by the first lottery may be presented asthe presentation element, to the user.

According to the above configuration example, the user can confirm aresult of the first lottery in a virtual space, and therefore amusementof lottery can be improved. For example, the user can “purchase” thepresentation element as a virtual product, and further, the user is alsoallowed to, for example, carry the presentation element in the game.This can provide the user with such a sense of play as to “buy” thelottery itself.

According to the exemplary embodiments, it is possible to improveamusement of lottery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of aninformation processing terminal 102;

FIG. 2 shows a non-limiting example of a game screen;

FIG. 3 shows a non-limiting example of a game screen;

FIG. 4 shows a non-limiting example of a game screen;

FIG. 5 shows a non-limiting example of data stored in a memory 122;

FIG. 6 shows a non-limiting example of a data configuration of afurniture database 502;

FIG. 7 shows a non-limiting example of a data configuration of a cookiedatabase 503;

FIG. 8 shows a non-limiting example of a data configuration of a cookieappearance database 504;

FIG. 9 shows a non-limiting example of a data configuration of a cookieappearance rate database 505 based on rareness degree;

FIG. 10 shows a non-limiting example of a data configuration of apresented-cookie data 506;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the details of a cookie shop process; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the details of a first lottery process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Terminal]

Hereinafter, one exemplary embodiment will be described. It is to beunderstood that as used herein, elements and the like written in asingular form with a word “a” or “an” attached before them do notexclude those in a plural form. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing ahardware configuration of an information processing terminal 102 whichexecutes an information process according to the exemplary embodiment.Here, in the exemplary embodiment, for example, a smart device such as asmartphone and a tablet, a game apparatus such as a stationary gameapparatus and a hand-held game apparatus, a personal computer, or thelike is assumed as the information processing terminal 102. In thedescription of the exemplary embodiment, an information processingterminal (for example, a smartphone) including a display screen and atouch panel that are integrated with each other will be described as anexample. Therefore, input operations are mainly inputs to the touchpanel. However, in another exemplary embodiment, for input operation, aphysical controller connected to an information processing terminalwirelessly or via wire may be employed, or for example, an inputapparatus formed integrally with the information processing terminal maybe employed. Regarding the information processing terminal 102, inanother exemplary embodiment, an information processing system composedof a plurality of information processing apparatuses may be adopted.Then, the processes as described below may be executed so as to beshared among the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

In FIG. 1, the information processing terminal 102 includes a processorsection 121, a memory 122, an operation section 123, and a displaysection 124. The processor section 121 executes a later-described gameprocess or executes a system program (not shown) for controlling overalloperation of the information processing terminal 102, therebycontrolling operation of the information processing terminal 102. Theprocessor section 121 may include a single processor or a plurality ofprocessors. In the memory 122, various programs to be executed by theprocessor section 121 and various kinds of data to be used in theprograms are stored. The memory 122 is, for example, a flash EEPROM or ahard disk device. The operation section 123 is an input device forreceiving an operation from a user, and in the exemplary embodiment, atouch panel is mainly assumed as the operation section 15. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the operation section 123 may be various pointingdevices, various press-type buttons, an analog stick, and the like. Thedisplay section 124 is typically a liquid crystal display device.

[Outline of Information Process (Game Process) of the ExemplaryEmbodiment]

Next, the outline of the information process executed in the exemplaryembodiment will be described. First, in the exemplary embodiment, anapplication process in which predetermined content can be acquired by a“lottery” process is assumed. This lottery is called, for example,“gacha” or the like. More specifically, as an example of theapplication, a game application process (hereinafter, referred to asgame process) is assumed. As an example of the content acquired by thelottery, “in-game content” which can be used in the game is assumed.

Examples of the “in-game content” are as follows: a character, a unit,items such as weapon and protector, abilities such as magic and skill,etc., that appear in the game.

Here, the game process assumed in the exemplary embodiment will bedescribed more specifically. In the game according to the exemplaryembodiment, a player character lives virtually in a virtual game worldin which various virtual characters (resident characters) live. Forexample, the player character can collect various items to build an ownhouse, or maintains a garden. In addition, it is also possible to dohunting, fishing, or the like or have a conversation or the like with aresident character in the game, to obtain various items.

In the following description, as an example of the in-game content,“furniture” that can be arranged in the own house will be described.That is, in the process according to the exemplary embodiment, the usercan acquire a predetermined piece of furniture by a lottery process.

An acquisition (lottery) method for the furniture will be described morespecifically. In the exemplary embodiment, the user can acquire a pieceof furniture by lottery. In the exemplary embodiment, the user purchasesa “cookie” in the game, and causes the player character to eat the“cookie”, to start the lottery. As a result, the user can acquire onepredetermined piece of furniture selected by the lottery.

It is noted that a “rareness degree” is set for each piece of furniture,and the winning probability differs depending on each rareness degree.For example, the rareness degrees are set at four levels such asSS-rare-ranked furniture, S-rare-ranked furniture, rare-rankedfurniture, and normal-ranked furniture. For example, the winningprobability for the SS-rare-ranked furniture is set to be the lowest.

In the game according to the exemplary embodiment, the user can purchasethe “cookie” at a “shop” in the game. In this game, as means forpurchasing a cookie at the shop, there are two types of purchasemethods. Specifically, there are a purchase method using virtualcurrency called “bell” in the game, and a purchase method using, in thegame, virtual currency called “ticket” which is virtual currencydifferent from the bell.

Here, difference between the two types of virtual currency in theexemplary embodiment will be described. First, the method for acquiringthe “bell” is confined within the game world. For example, the “bell”can be acquired by selling the “furniture”. In addition, the “bell” canalso be acquired by selling an item obtained by the fishing or hunting.Besides, the “bell” can also be acquired as a so-called “quest” reward.In addition, since the “bell” can be acquired by selling furniture, itis also possible to acquire the “bell” as funds for purchasing anotherpiece of furniture by selling an unnecessary piece of furniture. On theother hand, the “ticket” is virtual currency that can be acquired alsoby a so-called settlement process using real-world currency, i.e.,so-called “cash payment”. That is, the “ticket” is virtual currencyprovided to the user in accordance with the paid money amount. Besidesacquisition by cash payment as described above, the “ticket” can also beacquired as a quest reward, but unlike the “bell”, it is impossible toacquire the “ticket” by selling an item such as furniture in the game.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a screen of the “shop” displayed at the timeof purchasing the “cookie”. This screen is displayed by the user tappinga wagon object indicating a shop on a screen of an “open space” areaprovided in the game, for example. In FIG. 2, on the shop screen, afirst cookie presentation area 201 representing a shelf on which three“cookies” are exhibited, and a second cookie presentation area 202representing a shelf on which one “cookie” is exhibited, are displayed.These “cookies” can also be said to be presentation elements forpresenting lottery targets to the user. Near the upper end of thescreen, the number 203 of possessed tickets and the number 204 ofpossessed bells are indicated. In addition, at the lower part of thescreen, a “close” button 209 for ending the shop screen is alsoindicated.

In the first cookie presentation area 201, three cookie images 205A to205C are displayed so as to be exhibited on the shelf. In the exemplaryembodiment, an upper limit is set for the number of “cookies” that canbe exhibited at once in the first cookie presentation area 201. In thisexample, the upper limit is three. Needless to say, this number ismerely an example and the number of cookies that can be exhibited may beset to another value. On the lower side of each cookie image, the pricethereof is also indicated. By performing an operation of selecting oneof the cookie images 205A to 205C, the user can purchase the “cookie”using “bells”. In the exemplary embodiment, as an example of theselection operation, an operation of “tapping” the cookie image isassumed. FIG. 3 shows an example of a purchase confirmation screendisplayed when one of the cookies in the first cookie presentation area201 is tapped. In FIG. 3, a dialogue box 211 is displayed for askingwhether or not to purchase the “cookie” selected by tapping, by spending“bells” corresponding to the price set for the “cookie”. By tapping a“purchase” button, the user can purchase the “cookie” by spending apredetermined number of “bells”. In addition, by tapping a “quit”button, the user can cancel the purchase and return to the previousscreen.

In the exemplary embodiment, the “cookies” exhibited in the first cookiepresentation area 201 are exchanged with a predetermined cycle.Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the “cookies” are exchangedonce a day, when a predetermined time (for example, 16:00) has come.That is, the lineup of “cookies” exhibited in the first cookiepresentation area 201 is changed every 24 hours. In the exemplaryembodiment, for each of the “cookies” (cookie images 205A to 205C) ineach cycle, the quantity of stock is set at 1. Therefore, the user canpurchase only one of each “cookie” in each cycle. If one of the“cookies” in the first cookie presentation area 201 is purchased, animage indicating a “sold-out” state is once displayed at the locationwhere the purchased “cookie” had been displayed. The “sold-out” statecontinues until exchange in the next cycle occurs. Even in the casewhere none of the “cookies” have not been purchased, exchange of“cookies” occurs when the above exchange time has come. This can give amotivation for playing the game again on the next day.

In another exemplary embodiment, at the above exchange, “replenishment”may be performed for only the sold-out “cookie”, instead of exchangingall the “cookies”. Also, the quantity of stock for each “cookie” in eachcycle may be set at two or more.

In the exemplary embodiment, which “cookie” is to be exhibited in thefirst cookie presentation area 201 is determined by a lottery process.Hereinafter, the lottery process for the “cookie” to be exhibited willbe described. First, in the exemplary embodiment, as the “cookies”,twenty types of “cookies” are prepared. As the “furniture”, for example,140 types of furniture are prepared. The “cookies” are each different interms of lottery target furniture. For example, for a “cookie A”, seventypes of furniture among the 140 types of furniture are selected and setas lottery targets. For a “cookie B”, other seven types of furnituredifferent from those for the “cookie A” are set as lottery targets. Fora “cookie C”, seven types of furniture different from those for the“cookie A” and the “cookie B” are set as lottery targets. In theexemplary embodiment, the types of lottery target furniture for therespective “cookies” do not overlap each other. However, in anotherexemplary embodiment, the types of lottery target furniture maypartially or entirely overlap each other among the “cookies”.

Further, for each of the twenty types of “cookies”, a rareness degree isset. For a “cookie” having a high rareness degree, pieces of furniturehaving high rareness degrees are set as the lottery targets, and theprice of the “cookie” is also set to be higher. In addition, the higherthe rareness degree of a “cookie” is, the lower the probability that the“cookie” is exhibited in the first cookie presentation area 201 is. Thatis, a “cookie” having a higher rareness degree is less likely to beexhibited in the first cookie presentation area 201. As it were, such a“cookie” is considered to be a rare cookie which rarely appears in theshop.

Next, the second cookie presentation area 202 will be described. Onecookie image 206 exhibited on the shelf is displayed in the secondcookie presentation area 202. On the lower side of the cookie image 206,the price of the cookie is also indicated. On the upper side thereof, alottery content presentation image 207 indicating lottery targetfurniture for the “cookie” is indicated. Further, on both sides of thelottery content presentation image 207, switch buttons 208L and 208R areindicated. By tapping the switch button 208L or 208R, the user canswitch the cookie image 206 and the lottery content presentation image207 presented in the second cookie presentation area 202, in such amanner as to scroll in the right-left direction.

The cookie images that can be presented in the second cookiepresentation area 202 include all of the twenty types of cookiesdescribed above. Therefore, the user can sequentially display all typesof “cookies” and the corresponding lottery content presentation images207 one by one using the switch button 208L or 208R. In other words, inthe second cookie presentation area 202, all types of “cookies” arepresented in a selectable manner for the user, and in the first cookiepresentation area 201, three cookies selected thereamong by lottery arepresented. As for the “cookies” to be presented in the second cookiepresentation area 202, all types of cookies may not necessarily betargets to be presented. In another exemplary embodiment, for example,only cookies having high rareness degrees may be targets to be presentedin the second cookie presentation area 202 (for example, onlySS-rare-ranked “cookies” may be targets to be presented).

By tapping the cookie image 206 in the second cookie presentation area202, the user can purchase the cookie using the above “ticket”. FIG. 4shows an example of a purchase confirmation screen displayed when thecookie image 206 presented in the second cookie presentation area 202 istapped. In FIG. 4, a dialogue box 212 is displayed for asking whether ornot to purchase the “cookie” selected by tapping, by spending “tickets”corresponding to the price set for the “cookie”. By tapping a “purchase”button, the user can purchase the “cookie” by spending a predeterminednumber of “tickets”. In addition, by tapping a “quit” button, the usercan cancel the purchase and return to the previous screen.

It is noted that, in the second cookie presentation area 202, in theexemplary embodiment, no limit is set for the quantity of stock for each“cookie”. Therefore, it is also possible to purchase the same “cookie”consecutively. In addition, since all types of “cookies” are targets tobe purchased, “exchange” of “cookies” as in the first cookiepresentation area 201 also does not occur. That is, by using “tickets”,the user can perform “designated purchase” from among all types of“cookies”. In another exemplary embodiment, a limit of the quantity ofstock may be set also for the “cookies” in the second cookiepresentation area 202, in the same manner as described above.

[Details of Game Process in the Exemplary Embodiment]

Next, with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 12, the game process according tothe exemplary embodiment will be described in more detail.

[Used Data]

First, various types of data used in this game process will bedescribed. FIG. 5 is a memory map showing an example of various types ofdata stored in the memory 122 of the information processing terminal102. The memory 122 of the information processing terminal 102 stores agame program 501, a furniture database 502, a cookie database 503, acookie appearance database 504, a cookie appearance rate database 505based on rareness degree, presented-cookie data 506, possessed bell data507, possessed ticket data 508, possessed furniture data 509, image data510, operation data 511, and the like.

The game program 501 is a program for executing the game processaccording to the exemplary embodiment.

The furniture database 502 is data that defines the “furniture”described above. FIG. 6 shows an example of a data configuration of thefurniture database 502. The furniture database 502 is composed of afurniture ID 521, furniture detail data 522, and a rareness degree 523.The furniture ID 521 is an identifier for uniquely identifying eachpiece of furniture. The furniture detail data 522 is data that definesthe specific details of each piece of furniture. For example, thefurniture detail data 522 includes information that defines an outerappearance image of each piece of furniture and the type thereof (desk,chair, etc.). The rareness degree 523 is data indicating the rarenessdegree of each piece of furniture.

Returning to FIG. 5, the cookie database 503 is data that defines each“cookie”. FIG. 7 shows an example of the data structure of the cookiedatabase 503. In FIG. 7, the cookie database 503 is a table-styledatabase having items that are a cookie ID 531, a rareness degree 533,and lottery target data 534.

The cookie ID 531 is an ID for uniquely identifying the type of each“cookie”.

The rareness degree 533 is data that indicates the rareness degree ofeach “cookie”.

The lottery target data 534 is data that defines pieces of furniturethat are lottery targets for each “cookie”. Specifically, the lotterytarget data 534 is table-style data composed of a furniture ID 535 andan appearance rate 536. The furniture ID 535 indicates IDs fordiscriminating and identifying pieces of furniture that are lotterytargets for each “cookie”, and is associated with the furniture ID 521of the furniture database 502. The appearance rate 536 is data thatdefines the appearance rate of each piece of furniture.

Besides, although not shown, data indicating the price of each “cookie”,data indicating the image of each “cookie”, and the like are stored asappropriate in the cookie database 503.

Returning to FIG. 5, the cookie appearance database 504 is data thatdefines the appearance rate of each “cookie” in a lottery for whether ornot to exhibit the cookie in the first cookie presentation area 201.FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of the cookie appearancedatabase 504. The cookie appearance database 504 is table-style datacomposed of a cookie ID 541 and an appearance rate 542. The cookie ID isan ID for identifying each “cookie” and is associated with the cookie ID531 of the cookie database 503. The appearance rate 542 is data thatdefines the appearance rate for each “cookie”.

Returning to FIG. 5, the cookie appearance rate database 505(hereinafter, referred to as rareness degree database) based on rarenessdegree is data that defines the appearance rate for each rareness degreeof the “cookies”. FIG. 9 shows an example of the configuration of therareness degree database 505. The rareness degree database 505 is datacomposed of a rareness degree 551 indicating each rareness degree, andan appearance rate 552 that defines the appearance rate for eachrareness degree.

Returning to FIG. 5, the presented-cookie data 506 is data indicating“cookies” that are being exhibited in the first cookie presentation area201. FIG. 10 shows an example of the data configuration of thepresented-cookie data 506. The presented-cookie data 506 is composed ofa frame number 561, a cookie ID 562, and a sold-out flag 563. The framenumber 561 indicates exhibition frames in the first cookie presentationarea 201. In the exemplary embodiment, the number of the frames isthree. The cookie ID 562 is an ID indicating the “cookie” exhibited ineach frame, and is associated with the cookie ID 531 of the cookiedatabase 503. The sold-out flag 563 is a flag indicating whether or notthe “cookie” in each frame has been sold out. In the exemplaryembodiment, since the quantity of stock for each cookie in the firstcookie presentation area 201 is set at 1, the sold-out flag 563 is setto ON when a purchase is performed. It is noted that, in the case wherethe quantity of stock is set at two or more in another exemplaryembodiment, management may be performed with the sold-out flag 563modified to data indicating the “quantity of stock”.

Returning to FIG. 5, the possessed bell data 507 is data indicating thenumber of “bells” that the user possesses. The possessed ticket data 508is data indicating the number of “tickets” that the user possesses. Thepossessed furniture data 509 is data indicating furniture that the userpossesses. The image data 510 is data of images of “cookies” and imagesof a shop screen and the like. The operation data 511 is data indicatingan operation performed on the operation section 123 by the user.

Besides, various working data and the like used in this process arestored as appropriate in the memory 122.

[Details of Process Executed by Processor Section 121]

Next, with reference to flowcharts shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, thedetails of the game process according to the exemplary embodiment willbe described. Here, a process (hereinafter, referred to as cookie shopprocess) relevant to the “shop” for purchasing a “cookie” will be mainlydescribed, and the description of the other game processes is omitted.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the details of the cookie shop processaccording to the exemplary embodiment. Execution of this process isstarted by the user tapping a wagon object indicating a shop on a screenof an “open space” area provided in the game, for example. In thefollowing description, a lottery for a “cookie” to be exhibited in thefirst cookie presentation area 201 is referred to as “first lottery”. Inaddition, a lottery for furniture based on a “cookie” purchased by theuser is referred to as “second lottery”. Setting is made such thatexchange of “cookies” in the first cookie presentation area 201 is to beperformed at 16:00 every day.

First, in step S1, the processor section 121 determines whether or not acondition for performing the first lottery is satisfied. In theexemplary embodiment, in a state in which the first lottery for this dayhas not been performed yet, if the current time is 16:00 set as anexchange time, or past that time, it is determined that the conditionfor performing the first lottery is satisfied. In addition, also in thecase where the first lottery has not been performed yet even once, e.g.,at the time of initial starting of this game, it is determined that thecondition for performing the first lottery is satisfied. As a result ofthe determination, if the condition for performing the first lottery issatisfied (YES in step S1), in step S2, the processor section 121executes a first lottery process and proceeds to step S3. On the otherhand, if the condition for performing the first lottery is not satisfied(NO in step S1), the processing in step S2 is skipped and the processproceeds to step S3.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the details of the first lottery process.In this process, processing of determining a “cookie” to be exhibited inthe first cookie presentation area 201 by lottery is executed. In FIG.12, first, in step S31, the processor section 121 clears the content ofthe presented-cookie data 506 to initialize the data.

Next, in step S32, the processor section 121 refers to the cookieappearance database 504 and acquires the appearance rates 542 for allthe “cookies”.

Next, in step S33, the processor section 121 refers to the rarenessdegree database 505 to acquire the appearance rates 552 for therespective rareness degrees.

Next, in step S34, the processor section 121 performs a lottery to drawthe rareness degree of a cookie to be exhibited, on the basis of theappearance rates 552 for the respective rareness degrees.

Next, in step S35, the processor section 121 performs a lottery using arandom number, to draw one “cookie” to be exhibited, on the basis of thedrawn rareness degree and the appearance rate of each “cookie”.

Next, in step S36, the processor section 121 adds data indicating thedrawn “cookie”, to the presented-cookie data 506. That is, the processorsection 121 sets the cookie ID indicating the drawn “cookie”, for thecookie ID 562 corresponding to the smallest one of the frame numbers 561that have not been occupied yet, and sets the sold-out flag 563 to OFF.

Next, in step S37, the processor section 121 refers to thepresented-cookie data 506 to determine whether or not “cookies” havebeen set for all the frames (in the exemplary embodiment, three frames).As a result of the determination, if there is a vacant frame left (NO instep S37), the process returns to the above step S34 to repeat theprocessing. On the other hand, if all the frames have been occupied (YESin step S37), the first lottery process is ended.

Returning to FIG. 11, next, in step S3, the processor section 121generates a shop screen on the basis of the presented-cookie data 506.Specifically, the processor section 121 refers to the presented-cookiedata 506 and places the image of the “cookie” corresponding to thecookie ID 562 at the frame for which the sold-out flag 563 is OFF, inthe first cookie presentation area 201. At the frame for which thesold-out flag 563 is ON, the image indicating a sold-out state isplaced. In addition, in the second cookie presentation area 202, theimage of a predetermined “cookie” (this may be selected randomly or animage corresponding to a “cookie” set in advance may be used), and thelottery content presentation image 207 corresponding thereto, areplaced. Then, a shop image as shown in FIG. 2 is generated. Further, theprocessor section 121 also performs processing of displaying thegenerated shop screen.

Next, in step S4, the processor section 121 acquires the operation data511. In the subsequent step S5, the processor section 121 determineswhether or not the operation indicated by the operation data 511 is apurchase instruction using the “bell”. Specifically, the processorsection 121 determines whether or not one of the cookie images 205A to205C in the first cookie presentation area 201 has been tapped. As aresult of the determination, if one of the cookie images 205A to 205Chas been tapped (YES in step S5), in step S6, the processor section 121performs processing of displaying a confirmation dialogue for purchaseusing bells. Specifically, the processor section 121 performs processingof generating and displaying the dialogue box 211 as shown in FIG. 3, onthe basis of the tapped “cookie”. Then, the processor section 121 is toreceive an operation from the user.

Next, in step S7, the processor section 121 acquires the operation data511 and determines whether or not a purchase instruction operation hasbeen performed on the dialogue box 211. If an instruction to cancelpurchase has been performed instead of a purchase instruction (NO instep S7), the processor section 121 deletes the purchase confirmationdialogue and returns to the processing of step S3. On the other hand, ifa purchase instruction has been performed (YES in step S7), in step S8,the processor section 121 subtracts “bells” corresponding to the priceset for the tapped “cookie” from the possessed bell data 507. Further,in step S9, the processor section 121 sets the sold-out flag 563corresponding to the purchased “cookie” in the presented-cookie data506, to ON.

Next, in step S10, the processor section 121 performs a second lotteryon the basis of the purchased “cookie”. That is, in the exemplaryembodiment, when the user has purchased the “cookie”, the second lotteryis performed immediately. Specifically, the processor section 121 refersto the cookie database 503 and acquires the lottery target data 534corresponding to the purchased “cookie”. Thus, the processor section 121can acquire information about pieces of furniture that can be acquiredfrom that “cookie”, and the appearance rates of these pieces offurniture. Further, the processor section 121 performs a lottery to drawa piece of furniture to be provided to the user, on the basis of theappearance rates. Then, the processor section 121 adds the drawn pieceof furniture to the possessed furniture data 509, thereby providing thedrawn piece of furniture to the user.

In the processing for the second lottery, a predetermined production maybe displayed. For example, on the basis of the rareness degree of thedrawn piece of furniture, a production image, a message, or the likeaccording to the rareness degree may be displayed. In addition, aplurality of production images and/or a plurality of messages may beprepared for each rareness degree, and a production image and/or amessage to be displayed may be further determined by lottery.

After the processing of step S10 is finished, the process returns to theabove step S3 to repeat the processing.

Next, processing performed in the case where, as a result of thedetermination in step S5, none of the cookie images 205A to 205C in thefirst cookie presentation area 201 have been tapped (NO in step S5),will be described. In this case, in step S11, the processor section 121determines whether or not the operation indicated by the operation data511 is a purchase instruction using the “ticket”. Specifically, theprocessor section 121 determines whether or not the cookie image 206 inthe second cookie presentation area 202 has been tapped. As a result ofthe determination, if the cookie image 206 of the second cookiepresentation area 202 has been tapped (YES in step S11), in step S12,the processor section 121 performs processing of displaying aconfirmation dialogue for purchase using tickets. Specifically, theprocessor section 121 performs processing of generating and displayingthe dialogue box 212 as shown in FIG. 4, on the basis of the tapped“cookie”. Then, the processor section 121 is to receive an operationfrom the user.

Next, in step S13, the processor section 121 acquires the operation data511 and determines whether or not a purchase instruction operation hasbeen performed on the dialogue box 212. If an instruction to cancelpurchase has been performed instead of a purchase instruction (NO instep S13), the processor section 121 deletes the purchase confirmationdialogue and returns to the processing of step S3. On the other hand, ifa purchase instruction has been performed (YES in step S13), in stepS14, the processor section 121 subtracts “tickets” corresponding to theprice set for the tapped “cookie”, from the possessed ticket data 508.Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S10 described above, to performthe second lottery processing based on the “cookie” purchased by thetickets.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S11, if thecookie image 206 in the second cookie presentation area 202 also has notbeen tapped (NO in step S11), in step S15, the processor section 121determines whether or not the close button 209 has been tapped. As aresult of the determination, if the close button 209 also has not beentapped (NO in step S15), the processor section 121 performs another gameprocess based on the operation indicated by the operation data 511, asappropriate. For example, if the switch button 208L or 208R is tapped,processing for switching the presented content in the second cookiepresentation area 202 is performed. Thereafter, the process returns tostep S3 to repeat the processing. On the other hand, if the close button209 has been tapped (YES in step S15), the shop process is ended.

Thus, the detailed description of the shop process is finished.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the lottery process fordetermining which “cookie” is to be exhibited in the first cookiepresentation area 201 is performed. In addition, a rareness degree isalso set for each “cookie”, and thus the lottery is performedconsidering also such a matter. Then, three “cookies” determined as aresult of the lottery process are exhibited in the first cookiepresentation area 201. As it were, processing is performed in which“gacha” objects for acquiring pieces of furniture are exhibited in apurchasable manner in the shop and the “gacha” objects (the lineupthereof) to be exhibited are also determined by lottery. In this regard,in the conventional case, the lottery targets are determined dependingon only the administrator's setting. However, in the exemplaryembodiment, the lottery targets (furniture) are also determined bylottery. Thus, amusement based on what “cookies” will be exhibited,i.e., what pieces of furniture are lottery targets, is provided to theuser on a daily basis, whereby amusement of the lottery process isfurther enhanced and also a motivation for consecutive play is providedso that the user logs in to the game every day to play the game, forexample.

Further, the second cookie presentation area 202 that allows “designatedpurchase” as described above is used in combination, thereby providing apossibility of shortening a time required to acquire a piece offurniture that the user desires. That is, even in the case where ittakes a long time until a “cookie” associated with pieces of furniturehaving high rareness degrees appears in the first cookie presentationarea 201, it is also possible to purchase such a desired “cookie”immediately by using “tickets”. Therefore, an occasion to acquire apiece of furniture that the user desires can be provided to the userimmediately. Thus, it is also possible to make it easy to satisfy theuser's desire while keeping the amusement of the lottery process.

[Modifications]

In the above exemplary embodiment, the case where the game process isexecuted by a single information processing apparatus has been shown asan example. However, regarding the subject that executes the process asdescribed above, a configuration other than the above configuration maybe adopted. For example, in another exemplary embodiment, theinformation processing apparatus and a predetermined server may beconfigured to be communicable with each other, and the various types ofdata and the information processes described above may be partiallystored and executed at the predetermined server. A system on the serverside may be configured from a plurality of information processingapparatuses and a process to be executed on the server side may beexecuted so as to be shared among the plurality of informationprocessing apparatuses. In such a case, for example, data about userswho use the game is stored in the server on a user-by-user basis. Then,at the start of the game, a user is caused to perform processing forlogging in to the server, necessary data is downloaded from the serveronto the information processing apparatus 102, and the informationprocessing apparatus 102 and the predetermined server cooperate toexecute the information process as described above. In addition, in thiscase, the first lottery may be performed on a user-by-user basis. Thatis, “cookies” exhibited in the first cookie presentation area 201 maydiffer among the users. Then, a piece of furniture provided as a resultof the lottery may be reflected into the data about the user and thusthe data may be stored in the server (namely, the data of the user maybe updated). The first lottery may be performed on the informationprocessing terminal side or may be performed on the server side.Conversely, regarding the first lottery, the lottery result may be thesame among the users. For example, the first lottery may be performed atthe server at a predetermined time every day, and data indicating theresult may be shared among the information processing terminals.

Besides, the above processing may be applied to the case where, forexample, a plurality of user accounts are stored in a single gameapparatus, i.e., a single game apparatus is shared by a plurality ofusers. For example, at the time of starting play of the game, a user maybe caused to select a user account to be used, and the above processingmay be executed for each user account.

Regarding the timing of performing the first lottery, in the aboveexample, the first lottery is executed repeatedly at regular intervals,i.e., once a day. However, without limitation thereto, in anotherexemplary embodiment, an “elapsed time” may be used as a trigger. Forexample, the first lottery may be performed again when 24 hours haselapsed since the previous first lottery was performed. Alternatively,the first lottery may be performed when a predetermined time period haselapsed since all the exhibited cookies were sold out. Other than such acondition relevant to time period/time point, a matter irrelevant totime may be used as a trigger for performing the first lottery. Forexample, a predetermined timing based on a user's operation may be usedas a trigger. In this case, a button for “updating” the exhibitioncontent may be presented to the user, and the first lottery may beexecuted when this button is tapped. Besides, for example, the followingfacts may be used as a trigger for performing the first lottery: a userlogs in; a user's level rises; a predetermined parameter such as“friendship” reaches a predetermined value; and a friend is invited.

Also for the second lottery, the timing thereof is not limited to theabove example. For example, the “cookie” may be treated as an object oran item that can be carried. Further, in this case, a purchased “cookie”may be given to another user. Then, the second lottery processing may beperformed at a timing at which the user “uses” the purchased cookie.Alternatively, while, also here, the “cookie” is treated as an object oran item that can be carried, the second lottery may be performed inadvance at the time of purchasing the cookie. In this case, the sameresult is obtained no matter when the “cookie” is used.

In the above exemplary embodiment, in the first lottery, the cookieappearance database 504 and the rareness degree database 505 in whichthe appearance rates are defined, i.e., a lottery table is used. Inanother exemplary embodiment, any lottery method may be used withoutusing such a lottery table. For example, the appearance order of“cookies” may be determined for each user, and “cookies” may beexhibited in accordance with the order. Alternatively, for example,“cookies” to be exhibited may be determined in accordance with the timeat which the first lottery is executed. Still alternatively, forexample, the appearance rates may be equalized so as to perform randomselection. Also for the second lottery, any lottery method may be used.

In the above example, the case where one piece of furniture is acquiredwith one “cookie” has been shown. However, without limitation thereto,plural pieces of furniture may be acquired with one “cookie”.

The content targeted for the second lottery is not limited to thein-game content such as the furniture. For example, the above processingmay be applied to a “coupon application”, and a “coupon” may be used ascontent targeted for the second lottery. Other than this, the targetcontent may be an image file, a movie file, a music file, or the likethat can be used within the application or outside the application.

As “presentation elements” associated with a plurality of content groupsthat are lottery targets, “cookies” are used in the above example.However, any “presentation elements” may be used as long as eachpresentation element is associated with a plurality of contents as agroup. For example, a virtual product other than “cookie”, or anO-mikuji image, a virtual housing, or the like may be presented as a“presentation element” to the user.

The “virtual currencies” are not limited to the “bell” and the “ticket”as described above. For example, an object such as “orb” or “jewel” thatis not treated as currency in the real world may be treated as virtualcurrency.

In the above example, “cookies” are presented to a user by beingexhibited at a virtual shop. However, the presentation method is notlimited thereto. Any method that provides visual presentation using animage other than a shop may be used. Further, an auditory presentationmethod using a loudspeaker or the like may be employed.

When a “cookie” is purchased using the “ticket”, a predetermined rewardmay be provided to the user. For example, a so-called “point card” maybe set and a predetermined number of points may be provided when a“cookie” is purchased using the “ticket”. Then, when the points reach apredetermined amount, the user may be allowed to exchange the points fora “cookie” or a piece of furniture that the user desires. Besides, whena “cookie” is purchased using the “ticket”, a predetermined event may bepresented to the user. For example, an event movie associated withcontent drawn by a lottery based on the “cookie” purchased with theticket, or a story relevant to the content, may be presented to theuser. In this case, such a reward may not be provided when a purchase isperformed using “bells”. This can provide a motivation for purchaseusing a “ticket”.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing system comprising atleast one computer, the at least one computer executing: performing afirst lottery for specifying at least one presentation element among aplurality of presentation elements respectively associated with aplurality of content groups; presenting the presentation elementspecified by the first lottery, to a user; performing, in accordancewith a user's instruction, a second lottery for specifying at least onecontent from the content group associated with the presentedpresentation element; and providing the content specified by the secondlottery, to the user.
 2. The information processing system according toclaim 1, wherein the first lottery is automatically performed at apredetermined timing.
 3. The information processing system according toclaim 2, wherein even if the user's instruction is not performed afterthe first lottery has been performed at a last time, the first lotteryis performed when the predetermined timing comes.
 4. The informationprocessing system according to claim 2, wherein the first lottery isperformed every time the predetermined timing comes.
 5. The informationprocessing system according to claim 1, wherein the second lottery isperformed when first virtual currency associated with the user is spentin accordance with a user's instruction.
 6. The information processingsystem according to claim 5, wherein the presentation element specifiedby the first lottery is presented to the user irrespective of whether ornot the first virtual currency is spent.
 7. The information processingsystem according to claim 5, wherein a first presentation elementspecified by the first lottery, and a second presentation element whichis set in advance irrespective of the first lottery, are presented tothe user, when the first virtual currency is spent in accordance with auser's instruction, the second lottery for specifying at least onecontent from the content group associated with the first presentationelement is performed, and when a second virtual currency different fromthe first virtual currency is spent in accordance with a user'sinstruction, the second lottery for specifying at least one content fromthe content group associated with the second presentation element isperformed.
 8. The information processing system according to claim 7,the at least one computer further executing providing a reward to theuser when the second lottery is performed.
 9. The information processingsystem according to claim 7, the at least one computer further executingproviding the first virtual currency to the user in exchange for thecontent.
 10. The information processing system according to claim 7,wherein the presentation element specified by the first lottery ispresented to the user irrespective of whether or not the first virtualcurrency or the second virtual currency is spent.
 11. The informationprocessing system according to claim 7, wherein as the first lottery, alottery for specifying at least one presentation element from aplurality of the second presentation elements is performed.
 12. Theinformation processing system according to claim 1, the at least onecomputer further executing, if the second lottery has been performed apredetermined number of times, restricting processing of the secondlottery or processing of the providing until the predetermined timing.13. The information processing system according to claim 12, wherein ifthe second lottery has been performed with respect to a predeterminedpresentation element among the presentation elements, processing of thesecond lottery or processing of the providing with respect to thepredetermined presentation element is restricted until the predeterminedtiming.
 14. The information processing system according to claim 7, theat least one computer further executing restricting processing of thesecond lottery or processing of the providing until the predeterminedtiming, if the second lottery for specifying at least one content fromthe content group associated with the first presentation element hasbeen performed a predetermined number of times on the basis ofconsumption of the first virtual currency in accordance with a user'sinstruction.
 15. The information processing system according to claim 1,wherein the first lottery is performed for specifying at least onepresentation element among the plurality of presentation elements forwhich the respective associated content groups are at least partiallydifferent from each other.
 16. The information processing systemaccording to claim 1, the at least one computer further executingstoring information about a plurality of users in a storage portion insuch a manner as to allow the information to be identified on auser-by-user basis, wherein processing of the first lottery, thepresenting, the second lottery, and the providing is executed on auser-by-user basis.
 17. The information processing system according toclaim 1, wherein an object associated with the presentation elementspecified by the first lottery is presented as the presentation elementto the user.
 18. An information processing method executed by a computerof an information processing system for providing content used in anapplication, to a user, the computer executing: a first lottery step ofperforming a first lottery for specifying at least one presentationelement among a plurality of presentation elements respectivelyassociated with a plurality of content groups; a presentation step ofpresenting the presentation element specified by the first lottery, tothe user; a second lottery step of, in accordance with a user'sinstruction, performing a second lottery for specifying at least onecontent from the content group associated with the presentation elementpresented in the presentation step; and a providing step of providingthe content specified by the second lottery, to the user.
 19. Acomputer-readable non-transitory storage medium having stored therein aninformation processing program to be executed by a computer of aninformation processing system for providing content used in anapplication, to a user, the information processing program causing thecomputer to execute: a first lottery step of performing a first lotteryfor specifying at least one presentation element among a plurality ofpresentation elements respectively associated with a plurality ofcontent groups; a presentation step of presenting the presentationelement specified by the first lottery, to the user; a second lotterystep of, in accordance with a user's instruction, performing a secondlottery for specifying at least one content from the content groupassociated with the presentation element presented in the presentationstep; and a providing step of providing the content specified by thesecond lottery, to the user.
 20. An information processing apparatuscomprising at least one computer, the at least one computer executing:performing a first lottery for specifying at least one presentationelement among a plurality of presentation elements respectivelyassociated with a plurality of content groups; presenting thepresentation element specified by the first lottery, to the user;performing, in accordance with a user's instruction, a second lotteryfor specifying at least one content from the content group associatedwith the presented presentation element; and providing the contentspecified by the second lottery, to the user.